The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has disclosed that, it is considering the coverage of treatment of childhood cancers and family planning services under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

This follows the successful piloting and actuarial studies conducted to determine the financial sustainability of the scheme.

Dr Lydia Dsane-Selby, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NHIA, made the revelation ahead of the launch of the 2021 National Health Insurance Week, starting on Monday, November I5, under the theme: “NHIS: Using the Ghana Card for Expanded Health Service.”

Dr Dsane-Selby noted that analysis indicated the scheme could accommodate the treatment of childhood cancers and provision of family planning services without much strain.

According to the CEO, the decision is in line with the 2030 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) target of achieving 80 per cent reduction of health care cost for patients, 80 per cent coverage of the population on NHIS, and making health care accessible to 80 per cent of the population.

Dr Dsane-Selby opined that treatment for childhood cancers is less expensive compared to adult cancers. She noted that there is a 90 per cent survival rate on a global stage, with Ghana now having a 37 per cent survival rate.

In Ghana, about 1200 children under the age of 15 are estimated to develop cancer annually.

Leukaemia, lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms’ tumour, soft tissue sarcoma and neuroblastoma, are among the most common forms in the country.

Experts, however, estimate that only about 20 to 30 per cent of patients receive professional treatment, often due to inhibitive costs.

The average expenditure for treating childhood cancer is estimated at US $1000. In the treatment of Leukaemia, however, the cost can reach $7000 for up to three years

Family Planning

On Family Planning, Dr Dsane-Selby indicated that there will be an initial pressure on the public purse, but will subsequently ease out, thereby, reducing the impact on the economy.

“If we are to add family planning, there would be an initial pressure, but it won’t affect us that much and it would be very easy to add both of them on.”
Dr Dsane-Selby

After a two-year piloting of family planning in nine districts, the CEO disclosed that the cost was bearable with the modalities working well.

Dr Dsane-Selby, however, noted that there existed a challenge of low uptake due to cultural and social barriers.

There are about 1.6 million women who are using a modern method of contraception, with 23.2 per cent prevalence rate in all women and 29.8 per cent prevalence in married women, according to the Track 2020 Family Planning Project. The most common forms in use are injectibles, pills and implants.

Dr Dsane-Selby stated the NHIA is working towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage by Ghanaians by 2030. She expressed worry that though 80 per cent of the population is captured on the NHIS database, only 52 per cent is active because of the unwillingness to renew their membership.

“The issue is staying active, because it requires annual activation and at this moment, we have 15.1 million active subscribers.”
Dr Dsane-Selby

Dr Dsane-Selby expressed optimism that with the implementation of the Government’s Agenda 111, to provide health facilities across districts in the country, subscribers in rural areas would be assured of improved healthcare services.

The NHIS is funded by an earmarked levy that includes the NHIL and SSNIT, which constitute about 90 per cent of inflows.